Method of manufacturing knitting needles



Au yzl, 1928.

A. J. A. BEYER METHOD OF MANUFACTURING KNITTING NEEDLES Filed July 5, 1923 T) m j Wig ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 21, 192a.

ETD STATES ARTHUR I. A. BEYER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES H.

- BELL, 61E PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHGD OF MANUFACTURING KNITTING NEEDLES.

Application filed. m 5,

My invention relates to the manufacture of knitting needles, more especially of a type used in knitting machines. and is directed primarily towards simplifying such manufam ture, improving the construction and formation of the needle, and etl'ecting greater economy in manufacturing costs than has been possible with methods heretofore employed.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. I, is a perspective illustration of the sheet metal blank from which a needle is to be formed,

Fig. II, is a similar view, on an enlarged scale, showing the manner in which one end of the blank is folded preparatory to being rounded. into the form of a needle hook.

Fig. III, is a cross-section on a still larger scale, taken as indicated by arrows III-III of F ig. II, and showing the result of the foldmg.

Fig. IV, is a perspective view, on the same scale as that of Fig. I, showing the bending of the blank to channel or Ubeam formation.

Fig. V, is a detail illustration on an enlarged scale showing the first stage of rounding to form the needle hook.

Fig. VI, is a "iew similar to Fig. V, but showing the hook rounded to its final form.

Fig. VII, is an enlarged crosssection showing the manner in which the folds of the book are brought into intimate contact. toatl'ord a com act cross-section.

Fig. VIII, is a perspective view, also on an enlarged scale, showing an insert filler which I employ to reinforce the needle butt.

Fi IX, is a detail perspective view, showing t 1e manner in which the filler aforesaid is incor orated in the needle butt.

Fig. is a cross-sectional view, taken as indicated by the arrows X-X in Figure IX, further clarifying the manner in which the insert filler is retained in the needie butt.

Fig. XI, is a side elevation of the hook and needle, illustrating the latch in place; and

Fig. XII, is a detail section on a magnified scale, taken as indicated by the arrows XII- XII in Figure XI, and showing the manner in which the ivot for the latch may be formed by inward oii-setting of theneedle cheeks.

" In carrying out my invention, I firstly pro duce a flat blank 1 from sheet metal, bydie stamping or otherwise, of the configuration Sho n n Fig. I, the thi kness of me al being 1928. semi N0. 648,532.

selected in accordance with the gage of the needle which is to be formed. This blank 1 is in the main symmetrical with reference to its longitudinal median line, it being narrowest at that end marked 2 which is ultimately fashioned into the needle hook. Contiguous to the end portion 2, the blank is configured at opposite sides, to afford outwardly rounded lobes or protuberances 3, 3 that form the needle checks which jointly afi'ord bearing support for the pivot of the latch. Beyond the lobes 3, 3, the blank I is somewhat reduced in breadth as indicated at 4., said latter portion having parallel sides, and, in turn, being coextensive with a somewhat broader length 5, the edges whereof are merged into the portion 4 through flaring as at 6. The length 5, just referred to, likewise has parallel edges, and the same is continuous with a comparatively shorter, slightly broadened section 7, juncture between the two being effected through rounded fillets 8-8. The section 7 is flanked at opposite sides by butt projections 9 and 10, whereof the latter is formed with laterally projecting ears or tabs, 11, 11. The opposite sides of the tab 9 are cut away as at 9 for a purpose hereinafter explained.

According to my improved method of manufacture the end portion 2 is folded longitudinally as shown in Fig. II, the bending being so ordered as to produce a tip having a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configuration with the vertex rounded, as shown in Fi ure III, wherefrom the needle hook lie readily shaped without fracture or may buckling of the metal.

This folding is followed by a longitudinal folding of the remainder of the blank, as shown in Fig. IV, reducing a channel or U- beam formation, tie corners being made as sharp as practicable to approximate a rectangular cross-section. As a result of such folding, the lobes 3, 3 are brought into opposing relation, as illustrated. The same is true of the butt projections 9 and 10, and of the side edge profile configuration of the re-' mainder of the blank. If desired, these foldings may be efiected in a single operation, but, in order to ensure utmost accurac and sharper bending in producing the V- aped cross-sectional configuration of the and por tion 2, I prefer to fold it separately.

The needle hook H is set up by successive liendings of the folded tip 2 as shown in Figs. V and VI, such procedure preventing fracture and buckling of the metal. After the hook H is fully formed, the sides of the V-section 2 are compressed or clinched into intimate contact so that the bight of the needle hook H is given asmooth inner surface with avoidance of any edge pro ections likely to injure the thread upon which the necdle 1s to act. The result of this last operation will be manifest from Fig. VII.

A fter folding of the blank 1, as shown in Fig. IV, the tabs or cars 11, 11 of the butt projection 10 are bent to overlap andenvclop the reduced portion ofthe companion butt projection 9, theparts 9* accommodating the thickness of the metal as a consequence of which the butt edges are made flush through out. In order to reinforce the butt B, I prefer to insert between the projections 9 and 10, a filler 12 also of sheet metal, the same being shown in assemblage in Figs. IX and X, and isolated in Fig. VIII. In bending the tabs 11, I take care that the corners are well rounded as indicated at 13-43, in Fig. IX, so as to ease contact, and facilitate cooperation of the, active edges of the finished needle butt. with the actuating cams of the machine. If further security of the butt assembhige be required it may be had by spot welding the constituent parts together. Furthermore, if desired, reinforcement may, obviously, be extended using additional fillers at intervals in the channel; or by prolonging the filler through part, or all the length of the channel, of the blank 1 except at the region where the needle latch is to be inserted.

The needle latch, shown at 15 in Figs. XI and XII, may be constructed in any desired manner, and pivoted in any approved way in the interval between the cheeks afforded by the lobes or protuberances 3, 3; but a preferred method of pivoting is to punch the cheek lobes 3, 3 inwardly, as shown at 16, 16 in Fig. XII, to the extent of effecting mutual contact of the trunnions thus produced, such trunnions jointly constituting a pivot for the latch. The last described operation, as will readily'be seen, ma be effected either as a separate step and the atch 15 subsequently s rung into lace, or the two operations of 0 setting and latch assembling, effected simultaneously as found most convenient. The trunnions are purposely made so as to afford a maximum bearing area for the latch whereby the latter is amply supported and stayed against lateral play. If desired, the offsetting of the latch pivot trunnions 16, 16 may be done immediately after, or as a part of, the stamping or punching operation whereby the blanks are initially formed. The production of the latch pivot by punching up the trunnions 16, 16 instead of by piercing the sides of the needle, is desirable symmetrically configured edges because there is thus rovided the necessary resistance of the neet le to lateral tlcxure at the point where the latch 15 is pivoted, which the piercing of the needle tends to break down.

The completed needle, after all the necessary bending operations have been performed, is hardened after approved practice, and is thereby given the desired toughness, accordingly strengthened against fiexure, and the metal rendered wear-resistant to the utmost degree. By virtue of the sharp cornered U- shaped cross-sectional configuration, my improved needle is rendered capable of withstanding considerable sidewise flexure without permanent bending or buckling, such as would be likely to result in closure of the longitudinal channel, relative displacement of the latch trunnions or binding of the latch pivot.

Needle production in accordance with my invention is simple, and economical, and the product is comparatively light in weight but characterized by great strength and rigidity and thus capable of resisting the strains to which the needle is subjected in use.

By reason of the thinness of the metal from which my improved needle is constructed, and in consideration of its channeled crosssection, the side walls are rendered sufficiently flexible to yield to irregularities in the groove wherein the needle is guided. As a consequence of these attributes, friction is greatly minimized and binding obviated with avoidance of any longitudinal streaks in the knitted fabric such as ordinarily results by reason of sluggish movements of certain needles in a knitting machine. 1

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The method of makinga knittingmachine needle with integral actuating-butt and hook portions, which consists in folding an elongated sheet metal blank having opposed synnnetrically configured edges to channel formation. and clinching the end of said blank remote from the butt to form a substantially solid section hook portion.

2. The method of making a knitting-machine needle with integral actuating-butt. and hook portionsfwhich consists in folding an elongated sheet metal blank having opposed symmetrically configured edges to channel formation. clinching the end of said folded blank remote from the butt to substantiall solid section, and progressively bending the clinched end to hook formation.

3. The method of making a knitting-machine needle with integral actuating-butt and hook portions, which consists in folding an elongated sheet metal blank having 0 posed to channel formation, clinching the end of said channeled blank remote from the butt to substantially solid cross-section, progressively bending the clinched end to hook formation, and fashioning opposed contacting latch pivots in the channeled portion adjacent the aforesaid hook portion.

4. The method of making a knitting-machine needle by lon itudinally folding an elongated sheet metal lank to channel formation, said blank having flankingbutt-projections at one end and opposed symmetrically configured edges with outwardly directed lobe portions, clinching the end of said folded blank remote from the butt portion to substantially ,solid cross-section, progressively bending the clinched end to provide the hook, and forming opposed intimately contacting.

latch pivots in the lobed )ortions aforesaid.

5..lhe method of ma ing a knitting-machine needle by longitudinally folding an elongated sheet metal blank to channel formation, said blank having flanking butt-projectionssat one end and opposed s mmetrically configured ed es with outward y rounded latch lobes at an intermediate point, clinching the end of said folded blank remote from the butt portion to substantially solid crossse c tion, progressively bending the clinched end to provide the hook, forming opposed intimately contacting latch pivots in the lobed ortion adjacent the aforesaid hook, and overapping one of the aforesaid butt' projections onto the opposed projection. 6. The method of making a knitting-machine needle by folding an elongated sheet metal blank having opposed symmetrically configured edges and flankin butt-projections at one end into channel ormation, one of said buttrojectionsbeing formed with lateral extensions, clinchin the opposite end of said blank to substantia ly solid cross-section, progressively bending the clinched end to hook formation, forming opposed intimately contacting latch pivots in-the channeled portion adjacent the aforesaid hook for mation, overlapping the lateral butt extensions onto the opposed butt-projection, and inserting a reinforcement intermediate said butt pro ections.

7 The method of making a knitting-machine needle'by folding an'elongated sheet metal blank having op osed symmetrically configured edges and ankin butt-projections at one end into channel ormation, one of said butt-projections being formed with lateral extensions, clinching the opposite end of said blank to solid cross-section, progressively bending the clinched end to hook formation, forming opposed intimately contacting latch pivots in the channeled portion ad-- jaceng-the aforesaid hook portion, overlapping said lateral extensions onto the opposed pro ection, and inserting a reinforcing filler between the flanked projections before overlapping.

8. The method of making a knitting-machine needle from an elongated sheet metal blank having spaced up-sets, flanking butt projections and o )posed symmetrically configured edges by nding said blank lon itudinally to channel formation, clinching t ie end remote from the butt-projections into solid cross-section with the aforesaid lip-sets opposedly contacting to provide latch pivots, progressively bending the clinched end of the lank to hook formationfinserting a filler between the butt projections, and overlapping one said projection onto the other to bind the filler in place.

9. The method of making a knitting-machine needle with integral actuating-butt and hook portions which consists in forming an elongated sheet metal blank having a comparatively narrow portion at the end remote from the butt, and folding the blank longitudinally with the fold of the narrow end portion in intimate contact to form a thread-engaging hook of substantially solid cross-section. 1

10.'The method of making a knittingmachine needle with integral actuating-butt and hook portions, which consists in folding the narrower end of an elongated blank to V-shaped cross-section and the remainder of said blank to 'U-shaped cross-section, and rounding the end of 'V-shaped cross-section by. successive headings to substantially solid hook formation.

11. The method of making a knittingmachine needle which consists in formin an elongated sheet metal blank with lateriil butt-projections at opposed points, one of said projections having lateral projectin tabs, bending said blank along a longitudina 12. The method of making a knitting machine needle which consists 1n formin I an elongated sheet metal blank with flan ing butt projections, one of said rojections havin lateral tabs, folding the lank longitudina ly with folds at one end thereof brou ht into intimate contact, incidentally bringing the aforesaid butt projections into superposed relation, and bending over the tabs on one of the butt-projections aforesaid to overlap the edges of the companion butt projection.

13. The method of making a knittingmachine needle which consists in forming an elongated sheet metal blank with flanking butt projections at one end, one of said projections having 0 posed lateral tabs, folding the blank longitu inally to channel formation with the folds at the end remote from the tabs in intimate engagement, incidentally bringing the butt projections into so rposed relation, inserting a reinforcing fi ler in the interval between the superposed butt projections, and bending overthe tabs on one of the butt projections aforesaid to se ure the fil e as well as to overlap the edges of the companion butt projection.

14. As an article of manufacture, a knitting needle having integral] formed butt and hook portions made of ongitudinally channeled section with the end adjoining t e latch solidified and bent to hook formation.

15. As an article of manufacture, a knitting needle having integral] formed butt and hook portions made wholly of longitudinally channeled section, with the end adjoining the latch portion intimately clinched and bent to hook formation.

16. As an article of manufacture, a knitting-machine needle having integrally formed butt and hook portions made from a sheet metal blank longitudinally folded, with the folded end remote from the butt shaped to thread-engaging hook formation and the remainder of channel cross-section 17. As an article of manufacture, a knitting-machine needle having integrally formed butt and hook portions made from a sheet metal blank longitudinally folded into eoincident )ortions, the folded end remote from the butt beingshaped to hook formation, and

a filler inserted in the butt with the interme t diate part of channel cross-section.

18. As an article of manufacture, a knitting-machine needle made from a sheet metal blank longitudinally folded into coincident portions, with one folded and in intimate contact and shaped to hook formation, flanking butt pro'ections at the o posed end with the intermediate portion of c iannel cross-section, and one of said butt projections overlapped onto the other. i

19. As an article of manufacture, a knitting-machine needle made from a sheet metal blank longitudinally folded into coincident portions with one folded end in intimate contact and shaped to hook formation, flankin butt profections at the o posite end with th t llllt'lllltt late portion of c iannel cross-section, one of said butt projections overlapning the other and an interposed filler, and opposed intimately contacting latch pivots adjacent the aforesaid hook portion.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 29th day of June, 1923.

ARTHUR J. A. BEYER. 

